Scott's Botanical Links--July 2001

These illustrations, including a large number of microscopic and macroscopic images, are intended for home study for students of BOT 201 and 202 at Eastern Oregon University, but are also available in any non-commercial, educational context. The small, but useful collection includes a variety of introductory botany subjects, including: herbaceous stems, leaves, roots, embryos, fruits, fungi, Protista, and non-vascular plants (mosses, liverworts). Site by Karen Antell, Biology Department, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande. (***) -SR

The Biology Careers Page is a site of web links to three topics: (1) general career information; (2) specific careers described (pick the topic of your choice); and (3) graduate and professional schools. Each of the sites links to web sites on careers and career building. Although a number are commercial, there is still some good information here and opportunities for students who are bright and enthusiastically interested in the sciences. This page is by John Snyder, Furman University. -SR

The VPL is part of Integrative Biology 181, "Evolution of Plants through Geologic Time." Topics in the 12 detailed, multi-paged labs include: Introduction to Plant Structure, Introductin to Phylogenetic Reconstruction, Fossil Plants and Their Preservation, Early Land Plants, Lycophyte Clade, Sphenopsids and Ferns, Origin of Seed Plants, Medullosa and Cycads, Ginkgo, Cordaites amd the Conifers, Gondwana Seed Plants and the Anthophyte Clade, Reconstructing Climate Using Dicot Leaves, and Biogeography Exercise At the U. C. Botanical Garden. This is an excellent overview of information needed to appreciate evolutionary characters, and a nice introduction to the paleobiology of plants. Each topic is detailed enough to have been posted as a stand-alone site! Nan Crystal Arens and GSI: Lisa M Schultheis, University of California, Berkeley, are listed as instructors. (****) -SR

This site focuses on the word meanings and name derivations of Southern California plants, but many of these names are used worldwide. Compiled from a variety of authoritative sources, over 2100 references are listed in a currently 8-page glossary. This should prove useful for those who wish to determine how a plant might have been named, and points people in the direction of additional resources about the names of plants. Web site and all photographs by Michael L. Charters. (***1/2) -SR

This site features database entries on biological studies on lichens, lichen biology, collections, congresses, environment, IAL, lichenology on-line, news, people, pictures, references and societies. Run as an interactive database, this provides world information on the information about lichens that you may seek. (***1/2) -SR

Worldbiomes.Com allows the viewer to explore five of the major world biomes: aquatic, desert, forest, grasslands, and tundra. Pages on each biome are succinct, with enough detail for undergraduates, but seemingly designed for high school students. Well designed, informative with discussion board, eco-news, FAQ and links. Site by Designed by - Multimedia Pandora Inc. - a company of web designers (***1/2) -SR

This research lab site has pages on the basics of dendrochronology, historical timber in dendrochronology, dendroecology & dendroclimatology, growth periodicity of tropical trees, image analysis in dendrochronology, reconstruction of foliation of spruce back to pre-industrial times, international network of dendrochronology, genetical control of wood formation, research on increment dynamics, impact of injuries on trees, biomechanics of trees and links to other sites. (***1/2) -SR

Photosynthesis consists of two different pathways. This site describes research undertaken on Photosystem I (PSI). Designed for advanced undergraduate students and researchers, it has far more detailed and better presented biochemical data than most all the texts on cell biology that I have seen. Included on the site are an introduction to PSI, the X-ray structure of Photosystem I, people working on the project, a glossary of terms in photosynthesis, publications and photosynthesis links. (***1/2) -SR

Supported by Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources, a plant is chosen weekly from among the native and introduced species found outside of cultivation in the state. Entries feature easy-to-see characters, tips to identify the species at different times of the year, how to recognize other species in the same plant family, ecological characters, range in Wisconsin and beyond, scientific and common names, Wetland Indicator Status and more. A listserv is available and past entries are archived. "Site Info" explains botanical nomenclature, distinctions among native, introduced, invasive and protected species, and includes references and a map of Wisconsin counties. (***1/2) -SR

ECOTOX integrates three toxicology effects databases: AQUIRE (aquatic life), PHYTOTOX (terrestrial plants), and TERRETOX (terrestrial wildlife). This database provides an index of plant effects from specific chemicals or constituent chemical groups or species. A powerful method for gleaning the literature on toxicity, EPA warns, nonetheless, that it is necessary to consult with original scientific papers to ensure an understanding of the context of the data retrieved. (***1/2) -SR

Plant Kaleidoscope is a database of "rare & unusual plants" in cultivation in Europe growing in public or private gardens. The status of a species being subjective, the authors warn that their species status listings are only their point of view. Currently only woody plants (like trees, shrubs, conifers, climbers, bamboos, and palms) are included, though there are plans to include more later. The images and narratives are well prepared, brief and accurate. The irony of this site is that, not uncommonly, introduced plants have escaped captivity and become uncontrolable exotics. We hope this site does not encourage that possibility. (***) -SR

This collection housed at the University of Washington consists of over 600 views of plants commonly found in Western Washington. The search engine allows data to be found using Latin name, accession number, plant habitat/status, growth form, notes, common name, successional status, wetland status, climate, elevation, moisture, soil richness, habitat, location and plant families (whew!). This is a nice online model for a modern herbarium, but it will NOT WORK USING NETSCAPE 4!! (points off for that, it is what I use!) (***) -SR

The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) published "Declaring Independence" to stimulate thought on controling costs of scientific journals. Indeed, it is ironic that the path to research results in generating manuscripts that cost tens of thousands of dollars in research are given for free to the professional publishers who then sell it back to the academic community at high profit. This is an interesting model that presents the case. There are no easy solutions. (***1/2) -SR

Here is an eclectic collection of art and writings about "Beginnings." This particular entry covers the origin of the world from worldwide religious and scientific viewpoints. A most memorable quote for me is one about the "...grandeur in [a] view of life, with its several powers, [as] having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, ... from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved" -Darwin, The Origin of Species, 1859. A site for those who can tolerate plural viewpoints. (****) -SR